Probe ordered into alleged abduction of Gonda CMO

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the alleged abduction of the chief medical officer of Gonda S P Singh by minister of state for revenue and rehabilitation.

"A two-member committee led by additional director health has been set up to look into the matter and submit its report by tomorrow," Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ahmad Hassan said.

Sources in the government said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav have taken strong note of the report.

According to media reports, the CMO was allegedly abducted by Minister Vinod Singh alias Pandit Singh as he was "unhappy" over the refusal to accommodate his nominees on the list of doctors on contract recruited by the district health department under National Rural Health Mission.

Pandit Singh, however, has strongly refuted the charge, calling it a political conspiracy to tarnish his image.

Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) JP Sharma said, "Though the CMO has not filed any written complaint in this regard, we are in touch with the local officials and employees to get details of the incident".